Although we are in Week 3, most teams are playing their 4th football game tonight as region play inches closer and closer. Last week I went 20-8 on my high school picks which puts me at 54-22 on the season. I will pick 24 games in Week 3 and will try to increase my winning percentage which currently sits right above 71%.
Which games on the Week 3 slate caught my eyes?
We start with Boiling Springs at Hillcrest. The Bulldogs are 2-1 on the season while Hillcrest sits at a perfect 3-0. There is a common theme for both of these teams in the 2023 campaign while both schools have welcomed first year head coaches. The Rams have outscored their opponents 120-36 in their first 3 games and look ahead to another challenge as they welcome in a much improved Bulldog squad. I like this game to be one of the better games of the week but I like first year head coach Bennett Swygert & the Rams to edge out the Bulldogs in Week 3.
Cole’s Pick:
Hillcrest 30, Boiling Springs 21
Gaffney at Mallard Creek is another intriguing matchup in Week 3 as the Indians look to avoid a 2-0 sweep of the scheduled NC teams in 2023. Gaffney comes off of an impressive performance in Week 2 as the Indians edged out the Stallions of South Pointe 27-21. Senior QB Riley Staton was impressive in the Indian’s win as he passed for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jiaden McDowell & Emazon Littlejohn were also monumental in the Indian’s win as the two combined for 222 yards receiving. The Mavericks of Mallard Creek come into this game 1-1 on the season with a win over Independence and a loss to Buford. I like this matchup but I think Gaffney’s speed is too much to handle for the Mavericks on Friday night.
Cole’s Pick:
Gaffney 24, Mallard Creek 21
A new section I will be adding in this article each week is titled “5 Points or Less”. In this section, I will list the games that will be decided by 5 points or less.
Week 3 5 Points or Less:
1. Gaffney at Mallard Creek
2. Laurens at Chapman
3. RS Central at Chesnee
4. Woodruff at Belton-Honea Path
5. Wren at T.L. Hanna
6. Powdersville at Pendleton
7. Riverside at Christ Church
ICYMI: The week 2 High School Player of the Week was awarded to the Quarterback of the Byrnes Rebels, Andrew Stevens. Andrew was 22-36 for 319 yards and 4 TD’s in the win over Greenville.
Remaining Week 3 Picks:
Broome 40, Union County 6
Byrnes 42, Greer 21
Chapman 28, Laurens 23
Chesnee 17, RS Central 14
Landrum 21, Polk County 14
Grayson 31, Spartanburg 17
Belton-Honea Path 28, Woodruff 27
Greenville 49, Mauldin 14
J.L. Mann 38, Easley 14
Wren 30, T.L. Hanna 28
St. Joseph’s 42, Seneca 21
Abbeville 29, Westside 17
Walhalla 35, Southside 7
Pendleton 24, Powdersville 21
Eastside 21, Blue Ridge 13
Woodmont 42, Travelers Rest 7
Christ Church 28, Riverside 24
Berea 19, Wade Hampton 0
Carolina Academy 28, Fountain Inn 19
Lewisville 35, Blacksburg 22
Clinton 30, Aiken 20
South Pointe 34, Chester 27
For a full breakdown of the games above, tune into The Saturday Scramble from 8-10am on Saturday morning with Cole Bryson & Alex Guest.